Having ​missed my normal visits to the plot because it wouldn't stop raining, I grabbed the chance to visit this afternoon while my wife was out at a meeting.However, when I got to my plot, having stopped off to sort out the removal of some screws from the frame of the greenhouse being set up on the 'Special Needs' plot, I found I had not brought down the pea and bean seeds I had intended to sow. That's because I am sorting through all my seeds ready to make up my seed order for next year!I did have my onion sets and shallots so I set about planting them. Because I have sown green manure on next year's onion and roots patch I had to start by hoeing the emerging seedlings and raking them off. I then planted half a row of 'Eschallote Grise' (French for 'grey shallots') and half a row of 'Jermor'. The French ones, if they grow, make a very strong flavoured shallot ideal for dicing onto my salads. 'Jermor' got me a prize in the Roeshot show this summer; huge red shallots which are excellent in the kitchen.With only 10 of each in the packets I managed to fit them both into one row. However, I realised that I had planted them and my red onion sets into ground where I grew onion sets last winter! Not a good idea! I hope I get away with it.

I then rearranged the netting on my late row of peas.I sowed them late hoping they would stand through the winter but, with the warm weather we have been having, they are rather too well advanced - yet not advanced enough to give me a crop this autumn. What to do?I have decided to give them more space to grow - and hope! I removed the small net tunnel (about 15" high) and cleared the support netting from the row of peas that has just finished and moved it over. I then moved the hoops and netting cover over so they can be left for the winter. I needed to do lots of weeding to clear the ground round them.However, I will sow a new row of peas to grow on through to spring and hopefully give me an early crop. I can put them alongside the autumn sown Broad Beans I will sow soon on the new legumes patch.

Finally I picked more raspberries, cut some chard and pulled a couple of turnips as well as picking some ripe brown Runner Bean pods for next year's seed.

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Hi! As "Webmaster" for this site I feel a bit of a fraud. I am neither an expert at IT nor at growing vegetables. I do enjoy playing at both, however.I have a 10 rod plot in the middle of the site, having transferred in 2012 from a 5 rod plot I had been cultivating for about 5 years. I needed to give myself space to grow a wider range of crops.I will be recording my thoughts and activities on the allotment as well as sharing any knowledge and information I gain in my 'travels'.I constantly seek hints and advice from my neighbouring, and usually more knowledgeable, plot holders and will pass on anything I think is of general use via this blog.